Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (about the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically beds, mattresses, and furniture cracks
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages (feeds exclusively on blood, primarily human)
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal; they hide in dark crevices during the day and emerge at night to feed on sleeping hosts. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis with five nymphal stages.
Risks & Benefits
They do not transmit diseases but cause itchy welts, psychological distress, and potential allergic reactions. They are significant household pests.